READ ALOUD English Bible in human voice

Logos and fellow users, please consider the more than 400 forum posts complaining about the Read Aloud feature of Logos 4. For Win7 and Vista users, the only option is Microsoft Anna, or a third party addon (none of which integrate well with Logos).

I've suggested (Please! goto http://logos.uservoice.com/forums/42823-logos-bible-software-4/suggestions/2063863-read-aloud-english-bible-in-human-voice-ex-max-?ref=title ) and vote for this suggestion to raise awareness at Logos) that the company release a product that gives us a human voice at least for the ESV. The example I gave is the rendition by Max MacLean at biblegateway.com

The optimal solution of course, would be more/better voices released by Microsoft that could be used to read all Logos resources. However, MS has zero apparent plans to do so.

For those with itchy fingers to suggest a third party screen reader (Ivona/JAWS/ZoomText, Neo/AT&T additional voices for the narrator), I've tried those, own several of them, and for VI users (like myself) they are simply unacceptable for prolonged study. However, if you have a fresh idea, I'd be pleased to try almost anything that you've verified actually works. That said, "work arounds" are a poor solution for something that really should be fixed or replaced.

--Mark

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DMB

I'm guessing your multiple posts are due to the Logos site server issue discussed in another thread.

But I'd agree ... Anna seems like she has a paddle hidden behind her back, just ready to smack you, if you're not listening. My GPS lady acts the exact same way, getting really angry with me, when I don't pursue her instructions.

Kevin Becker

As I understand it the read aloud feature just sends the text to the native reader built into the OS. How good or bad it is a product of Windows and not Logos.

For me, I would rather Logos devote its coding talent on other Bible study features and leave the text-to-speech technology to other companies who specialize on the problem. I suspect this technology needs many more years to develop until it is truly satisfactory

Brother Mark

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270517#Comment_270517

Kevin, I'm guessing that you aren't visually impaired, hence fixing the Read Aloud feature most likely wouldn't be a priority for you or almost any other normally sighted person. [:)] ... I get that.

Conversely, with a product as feature rich and resources so vast, Logos is a tool that VI people both want and need. Fixing Read Aloud for them (er... for "us") is a very high priority.

Blessings to you brother! --Mark

Bradley Grainger (Logos)

Adding Audio Bibles to Logos 4 is an suggestion that we know a lot of users feel strongly about.

We have the technological capability to support it (see the Greek Audio NT for an example); to the best of my knowledge, any future progress depends on our being able to secure the right licenses for reselling and distributing the content.

Brother Mark

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270567#Comment_270567

Adding Audio Bibles to Logos 4 is an suggestion that we know a lot of users feel strongly about.

We have the technological capability to support it (see the Greek Audio NT for an example); to the best of my knowledge, any future progress depends on our being able to secure the right licenses for reselling and distributing the content.

Yessir! I did, in fact, discuss the Greek Audio NT with Josh Hunt earlier today in another forum; and thank you for validating from a developer's perspective that technology isn't a limiting factor. Audio Bibles (with human readers) would significantly enhance the ability of VI users to make use Logos. However, the more complete solution would be to use the higher quality synthetic voices which are currently on the market for external (to both Win7/Vista and to Logos) readers AND make them intrinsic to Logos in the same way that Microsoft Narrator is.... effectively replacing Microsoft Anna (sorry sweetie, its past time for you to go).

On the surface, it would also appear to be the most cost effective solution, rather than licensing the dulcet intonations of an Alexander Scourby for KJV and another license for Max MacLean for ESV, etc, etc.

In other words, the optimal solution seems to be frustratingly obvious, technically simple to implement, and extremely cost effective. Put together a cost model and put it on community pricing like any other resource. I, for one, would gladly pay for the Audio Bible resource, but I'd pay lots more for a complete solution vs. a band-aid.

Bohuslav Wojnar

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270590#Comment_270590

The best solution would be to have a human voice reading for a couple of Bibles and a good quality (better than Microsoft OS native) synthetic voice reading for the rest of the books... and having it working also on the iPad/iPhone/Android. [:)]

Brother Mark

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270606#Comment_270606

That would be lovely!

Kevin Becker

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270528#Comment_270528

Kevin, I'm guessing that you aren't visually impaired, hence fixing the Read Aloud feature most likely wouldn't be a priority for you or almost any other normally sighted person. ... I get that.

Conversely, with a product as feature rich and resources so vast, Logos is a tool that VI people both want and need. Fixing Read Aloud for them (er... for "us") is a very high priority.

Blessings to you brother! --Mark

Brother Mark,

Apologies, I did not mean to imply that Logos should not offer excellent features for those who are visually impaired. I was under the impression that a third party voice could be used in place of Microsoft Anna. I assumed this would open up the option of using the highest quality available synthetic voices on the market. If this is not the case I regret being misinformed. My only point was that it's probably more efficient for Logos to utilize text-to-speech technology that others develop rather than re-inventing the wheel. I would also welcome a wide variety of audio Bibles available in Logos.

If there are any bugs or hiccups in the way that Logos handles visual accessibility by all means they should be fixed and/or improved.

Blessings!

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270798#Comment_270798

One option for more read aloud voice choices is OS X Lion => Some Higher Quality Voices with OS X Lion (Free - just need to download) using Logos 4 Mac.

To use OS X Lion, need an Apple Mac (Intel Core 2 Duo or faster, recommend 2nd Generation i5 or i7); Thankful for my Logos 4 library on many platforms since Logos software is free on all platforms (pay once for resources; use wherever). Wiki Logos 4 Mac => Need Logos 4 PC feature? section includes virtualization so can run OS X and Windows at the same time on an Intel Mac (clipboard can be shared between OS X and Windows virtual machine for copy and paste).

Observation: wiki Mac and PC User Interface Differences => Feature Parity section includes many Mac features that need improvement to match PC (along with 4.3 Beta progress on many items).

Thankful for Bob Pritchett's post (on 12 May 2011) => What Logos development is doing that includes

Windows has more users than Mac, but Mac is behind and needs improvement, and it is gaining market share on the way to 50%. We consider it equally important to Windows, and already are at the point where some new work is Mac first, then ported to Windows.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Brother Mark

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270798#Comment_270798

Apologies, I did not mean to imply that Logos should not offer excellent features for those who are visually impaired.

No worries my brother! We're all entitled to an opinion, and I didn't take any offense at your priorities.... I did, however, want to emphatically state (for the benefit of Logos understanding the severity of the issue, and to garner the support of fellow forum users... Everyone, PLEASE scroll to the top of the thread, click the link, and drop some of your votes to elevate this issue for your Visually Impaired fellow users) that VI people need some attention WRT the Read Aloud feature.

--blessings!

Brother Mark

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270825#Comment_270825

One option for more read aloud voice choices is OS X Lion => Some Higher Quality Voices with OS X Lion (Free - just need to download) using Logos 4 Mac.

Hiya Keep Smiling 4 Jesus!, My Mac expertise is both dated and limited.... and this thread was never meant to speak to Mac or portable Logos implementations. This is all about Windows Vista/7's synthetic voice option: Microsoft Anna, and its limited utility for Visually Impaired users. Please note my opening statement in the thread:

Logos and fellow users, please consider the more than 400 forum posts complaining about the Read Aloud feature of Logos 4. For Win7 and Vista users, the only option is Microsoft Anna, or a third party addon (none of which integrate well with Logos).

That being said, I'm thrilled that Apple has the good sense to ensure that Mac users of Logos who may have visual impairment are able to adjust synthetic voice settings so easily. I sincerely hope that you, and other compassionate readers will help me elevate this issue to a position that catches developer attention. Or, if necessary, to have Bob Pritchett raise its priority in the "to be fixed" queue. You can help by casting a bunch of your votes here: http://logos.uservoice.com/forums/42823-logos-bible-software-4/suggestions/2063863-read-aloud-english-bible-in-human-voice-ex-max-?ref=title

Thanks, and blessings!

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270846#Comment_270846

Apologies: personally voting for other Logos user voice items (e.g Rework notes function - in one or multiple phases would be nice to add audio notes) and planning to purchase OS X Lion soon.

Observation: over 400 forum posts could include => 4.3 Beta 3 Intermittent Reading Plan issue after Read Aloud + File menu pop-up blocker (Logos 4 Mac Read Aloud is used daily by my wife; Snow Leopard includes 5 male and 5 female voices plus a dozen fun voices).

Apple made a deal with Nuance that includes high quality voices in OS X Lion => http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/05/14/apple.using.nuance.voices.in.lion.text.to.speech/

Microsoft Speech SDK 5.1 has Mike and Mary voices for Windows XP (msm file) => http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=10121

By the way, Ivona has voice packages for personal use on 1 workstation => http://www.ivona.com/voices.php (noticed 5 voices for $ 89); bit less $ than Ivona reader bundled with voices => http://www.ivona.com/reader.php

Keep Smiling [:)]

Jacob Hantla

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270567#Comment_270567

Adding Audio Bibles to Logos 4 is an suggestion that we know a lot of users feel strongly about.

We have the technological capability to support it (see the Greek Audio NT for an example); to the best of my knowledge, any future progress depends on our being able to secure the right licenses for reselling and distributing the content.

Have you talked to the ESV folks? They have their audio Bible very well integrated with their web stuff and may be interested in getting increased distribution especially if it could generate $.

MJD

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270881#Comment_270881

Apologies: personally voting for other Logos user voice items (e.g Rework notes function - in one or multiple phases would be nice to add audio notes) and planning to purchase OS X Lion soon.

Observation: over 400 forum posts could include => 4.3 Beta 3 Intermittent Reading Plan issue after Read Aloud + File menu pop-up blocker (Logos 4 Mac Read Aloud is used daily by my wife; Snow Leopard includes 5 male and 5 female voices plus a dozen fun voices).

Apple made a deal with Nuance that includes high quality voices in OS X Lion => http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/05/14/apple.using.nuance.voices.in.lion.text.to.speech/

Microsoft Speech SDK 5.1 has Mike and Mary voices for Windows XP (msm file) => http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=10121

By the way, Ivona has voice packages for personal use on 1 workstation => http://www.ivona.com/voices.php (noticed 5 voices for $ 89); bit less $ than Ivona reader bundled with voices => http://www.ivona.com/reader.php

Keep Smiling

KS4J,

I just down loaded "Lion", and I see the voices. I pulled up the speech panel, I click the check box for a different voice. But when I go back into the L4 program it will not switch to read in the new voice. Is there something I am missing, because it will not allow me to change the speaking voice? Which voice do you find to be the most realistic sounding?

thanks,

Mike

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270923#Comment_270923

I just down loaded "Lion", and I see the voices. I pulled up the speech panel, I click the check box for a different voice. But when I go back into the L4 program it will not switch to read in the new voice. Is there something I am missing, because it will not allow me to change the speaking voice?

Have learned to restart Logos 4 Mac after changing desired voice in System Preferences.

Which voice do you find to be the most realistic sounding?

Realistic depends on individual (and frequency loss in their ears); suggest choosing voice that sounds clear to you.

Apologies: personally delaying OS X Lion purchase since my "high-speed" internet connection has problems downloading 4 GB disk image.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Douglas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270932#Comment_270932

Faith Comes By Hearing Has This MASTERED!!!

Let's Use It!

Logos...Want to Buy it? (lol)

http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/

Brother Mark

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/270999#Comment_270999

Faith Comes By Hearing Has This MASTERED!!!

Let's Use It!

Logos...Want to Buy it? (lol)

http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/

FCBH does seem to have it mastered with 585 languages having at least one audio Bible offered... and I counted more than a dozen English languages translations or offerings... FREE. Thanks Douglas!

It still doesn't resolve the issue with our frequently illegible and mechanical Microsoft Anna ONLY voice for Logos in Win7/Vista.... and this is, after all, about integration of a natural sounding voice into Logos. Everyone can help to elevate this as an issue by voting at http://logos.uservoice.com/forums/42823-logos-bible-software-4/suggestions/2063863-read-aloud-english-bible-in-human-voice-ex-max-?ref=title ... Thanks everyone for the posts!

Douglas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/271014#Comment_271014

Hey Brother Mark,

I am not sure how all of the license agreements work but I think it would be neat if Logos could find a way to implement the already plowed ground of FCBH into its software.